Mavs’ Rookie Luka Doncic Ejected For Kicking The Ball

On Jan 21, 2019

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Janiel Abby Toralba

It was a terrible night for Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic, as he got ejected for kicking the ball into the crowd on the third quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers last Sunday (Manila time).

Doncic got one technical foul at the end of the first half and another technical at the third quarter. Contributing only 8 points for his team, Dallas lost to Pacers 111-99.

The Slovenian rookie defended that he was only trying to flick the ball up to himself.

“I was just trying to play soccer,” he explained.

“I didn’t try to kick the ball out of the stands.”

He confessed that he should have been aware of this ruling.

“For sure, I didn’t know the rule if you go [and kick the ball] to the stands you are ejected. It’s a different rule in Europe. I didn’t know that was a rule. I wouldn’t have been ejected for that, for sure, in Europe.”

“I was trying to juggle the ball. I’ve got to work on my soccer skills!” Doncic joked.

The former EuroLeague player knew that his low performance had affected his team and promised to be careful next time.

“I wasn’t playing good, for sure. It’s one of the [worst] games I’ve played, so yeah, I was frustrated before [the ejection]. I know it was my fault. I learned a new thing today.”

“Everybody does bad things in their life, so it’s not going to stop me the next game. That’s the good thing about the NBA. The next game is in two days, so just forget about it and move on.”

This is the first time for the Dallas rookie to be ejected in the NBA.

The Mavericks are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday (Manila time) with a 20-25 standing.